Study of some physiological, histological, histochemical, and biochemical aspects of alcoholic lung disease in albino rats

ABSTRACT

The effect of alcohol on the structure and function of the lung is of great importance. Also, it disturbs the lipid metabolism and its absorption. The present work aimed at studying the physiological, histological, histochemical and biochemical changes in the lung under the effect of alcoholic intoxication. 30 male albino rats [180-200 g body weight each] were utilized, 10 as control group and 20 were orally fed with 1.3 ml alco./200 g in diluted form daily. After 4 weeks, blood samples were taken and animals were sacrificed and both lungs were examined. There was significant increase in static lung compliance. Histologically, alveoli showed disturbance in shape and size with thickened interalveolar septa, cellular infiltration and extravasated blood cells by hematoxylin and eosin [H and E]. The elastic fibers were thickened, broken and deeply stained by Verhoff Van Geison stain [VVG]. Histochemical results showed increased activity of succinic dehydrogenase [SD] alkaline and acid phosphatase, mainly in the interalveolar cells, with decreased adenosine triphosphatase [ATPase] activity in the ciliary border of the bronchi. Biochemically, there was a significant increase in the total phospholipids content of the alveolar lung lavage. The blood lipid pattern in the triglycerides, cholesterol and free fatty acids were all increased as compared with normal control